A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Republic(t, -publike, -pobli(c)k, n. [17th c. Eng. republique (1603), -like (1604), F. république (c1410 in Larousse), L. rēspublica Public.] a. The (ablative case rēpublicā), f. rēs affair and publicus state; the commonweal. b. specif. The Republic of Venice. c. The inhabitants of a burgh, regarded collectively as a community of equals. —a. 1579–80 Reg. Privy S. VII 372/1.
Togidder with the proffitable and necessar service … to the croun and republict of this realme ?1596 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 15.
Repoblick 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 56/7.
Republike 1600-1610 Melvill 281.
This was cleirlie declarit be the exemples of a republict and citie —b. 1596 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 12.
And ve sall not fell in ovr pairts for to schav all favorable correspondance … acording to the institutioun and form of this our repoblik [sc/ Venice] —c. 1687 Cramond Cullen Annals 61.
The moss and turf ground … properly belonging to the republic of the said burgh having been … cast up
